Yes, a small number of newborns have natal teeth; most infants’ first teeth erupt around 6 months.
Most infants arrive with smooth gums, yet a rare group surprise everyone with teeth present at birth. These are called natal teeth. They often sit on the lower front gum, may look smaller than usual, and can be a bit wobbly. Parents usually find them during that first cuddle or the newborn exam.
What “Teeth At Birth” Means
Natal teeth are real teeth that break the surface before day one. They’re different from neonatal teeth, which show up during the first month. In both cases, the tooth can be a primary incisor that simply erupted early. Care teams check if the tooth is sturdy enough to keep or if it needs attention.
| Topic | Quick Facts | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| How Rare? | Roughly 1 in a few hundred births worldwide. | Sets expectations and eases worry. |
| Usual Location | Lower central incisors, often in pairs. | Helps distinguish from other mouth findings. |
| Look & Feel | Small, sometimes discolored, often mobile. | Mobility guides care decisions. |
| Types | Mature (fully formed) or immature (under-developed). | Structure affects feeding and safety. |
| Risks | Tongue irritation, breastfeeding pain, rare loosening. | Flags when to involve a dentist. |
| Next Steps | Monitor, smooth edges, or remove if unstable. | Protects feeding and airway safety. |
How Common Is A Tooth At Birth?
Population studies suggest that natal teeth are uncommon, with estimates near one case per few hundred births. Rates vary by region and study method, but every dataset agrees the event is rare. For most babies, the first tooth shows up months later than day one.
Why A Baby Might Erupt So Early
Researchers point to several factors. Family history appears in many reports. Some genetic conditions list early eruption among their features. Medical teams also weigh endocrine issues, infections present before birth, and rare exposures. Many cases, though, have no clear cause and the child grows just fine.
How Providers Evaluate The Tooth
During the newborn check, clinicians look inside the mouth and gently test the tooth’s movement. If it’s steady and not causing trouble, they’ll usually leave it alone and coach parents on care. If it’s sharp or loose, they’ll smooth edges, place a tiny resin coat, or refer to a pediatric dentist.
When Removal Makes Sense
Extraction stays on the table when a tooth moves too easily, repeatedly injures the tongue, or makes nursing unbearable. A specialist weighs feeding, airway safety, and the chance the tooth belongs to the normal set. If the root is barely there and the tooth flicks back and forth, removal can be the safest route.
Breastfeeding And Comfort Tips
Feeding usually goes well with a little technique. A deeper latch often solves most rubbing. Some parents chill a pacifier briefly before feeds to soothe the gum. If edges feel sharp, a dentist can smooth them. Bleeding on the baby’s tongue points to a need for prompt review.
Daily Care For A Newborn With A Tooth
Wipe the gum line with a clean, damp cloth at least once a day. Skip gels that numb the mouth. Ask your dentist how much fluoride toothpaste to use once another tooth appears. Plan the first dental visit by 12 months or within six months of the first eruption—whichever comes first.
Teething Timeline: What’s Typical
Before birth, all twenty primary teeth sit in the jaws, waiting. For most children, the first eruption happens near the half-year mark. Lower central incisors lead the way, followed by the upper pair, then the rest over the next two years. The pace differs child to child.
For a visual, the American Dental Association shares clear charts that outline the age windows for each tooth group. You can scan the baby teeth eruption chart to see the usual order and timing.
Where The “Early Tooth” Usually Appears
When a tooth is present at birth, it’s most often one of the two bottom front teeth. That matches the pattern seen later during routine teething. Many of these teeth look a bit conical and lighter in color, which comes from thinner enamel and limited root support.
Possible Complications To Watch
Most newborns with a tooth have no trouble at all. A few end up with a mouth ulcer on the underside of the tongue from constant rubbing. Some parents notice latch pain. Rarely, a very loose tooth may pose an aspiration risk. These are the situations where a quick dental exam helps the most.
What Your Dentist Might Do
Options range from watchful waiting to small fixes. Smoothing a rough edge can solve a tongue sore within days. A dab of bonding material can blunt a sharp corner. If the tooth threatens to shed on its own, removal is safer than hoping it stays in place.
Clinicians use recent guidance from pediatric dentistry groups when weighing these choices. A typical plan weighs feeding success, the tooth’s stability, and whether the tooth belongs to the normal set that should be kept for spacing.
Signs You Should Book An Appointment
Call your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist if the tooth feels loose, you see an ulcer under the tongue, milk feeds become painful, or you notice dark discoloration and bad odor. Photos help the care team triage, but hands-on checks decide next steps.
Care Pathways At A Glance
Use this quick matrix to map common scenarios to actions. It’s not a substitute for care; it’s a plain guide you can print and keep handy.
| Situation | What Usually Happens | Parent Action |
|---|---|---|
| Firm tooth, no sores | Watch, clean daily | Keep latch deep, schedule routine dental visit |
| Sharp edge, tongue sore | Edge smoothed or bonded | Use comfort measures; follow up if sore persists |
| Very mobile tooth | Likely removed | Pause hard nipples; arrange urgent dental review |
| Feeding fails | Team evaluates latch and tooth | Seek lactation and dental input together |
| Unclear if extra tooth | X-ray and specialist review | Bring prior notes; ask about spacing |
What Causes Are Linked
Teams keep a short list of associated conditions in mind, such as Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, Hallermann-Streiff syndrome, pachyonychia congenita, and Sotos syndrome. Most newborns with a tooth have none of these associations, yet the list helps direct a fuller exam when other features are present.
When Parents Need Reassurance
Hearing that your baby has a tooth on day one can spark worry. The good news: in many cases the tooth stays, feeding settles, and the child follows a typical dental timeline. Partner with your pediatrician and a pediatric dentist. If they suggest removal, it’s usually quick, done with local measures, and heals fast.
What Science Says
Large health systems and dental bodies publish ongoing reviews of early eruption. They agree that teeth present at birth tend to be lower incisors, come in pairs more often than not, and need removal only when loose or causing trauma. Recent analyses also estimate that early eruption at birth appears in a tiny slice of deliveries worldwide.
For more clinical detail on handling and risk checks, Cleveland Clinic offers a clear overview of causes, typical location, and decision points for removal when movement or ulcers show up. Their summary also notes that natal cases outnumber teeth that appear during the first month. You can read the natal teeth overview for the current snapshot.
Practical Takeaways For Day One
Check
Look for mobility, sharp edges, and tongue rubbing. Note feeding comfort and any bleeding.
Clean
Wipe gently with a damp cloth once or twice daily. Skip numbing gels and herbal rubs.
Coordinate
Loop in pediatrics and pediatric dentistry early if anything seems off. Ask about spacing and whether the tooth belongs to the normal set.
Teething Sequence For The First Two Years
The next teeth arrive in waves. After the lower front pair, the upper pair usually follows, then laterals, first molars, canines, and second molars. By age three, most kids show a full set of twenty primary teeth. Timing swings wide, and being months on either side of the averages can still be normal.
When To Seek Urgent Help
Head to care promptly if the tooth appears to detach, your baby coughs during feeds with a loose tooth, or you see swelling, fever, or pus. Sudden color change with pain also deserves a same-day check.
Keep photos of any sore or bleeding, track feeding notes, and bring them to visits. Those small details help teams spot patterns and choose the simplest fix quickly at home.
Bottom Line Parents Can Trust
Teeth at birth are unusual yet real. Most are part of the normal set and can be kept. A steady tooth that doesn’t hurt anyone gets cleaned and watched. A loose or sharp tooth gets managed so feeding stays smooth and safe. With simple steps and timely checks, babies do great.